GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Justin Arthur Berger, 36, of Helena, Montana, has confessed to a serious federal firearms violation: possession of an unregistered machine gun. The revelation comes after a disturbing investigation sparked by concerns Berger was planning a mass shooting, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday.
The FBI was alerted in December 2022 by a friend of Berger’s, who reported the man had expressed intent to harm others and anticipated a deadly confrontation with law enforcement. The friend also stated Berger possessed multiple assault rifles and silencers. Investigators quickly discovered Berger was battling depression, had extensive knowledge of firearms, and had even begun manufacturing parts to illegally convert an AR-15 into a fully automatic weapon. Witnesses reported seeing Berger firing rifles equipped with silencers at a makeshift shooting range.
A subsequent search of Berger’s Helena home turned up a cache of weaponry, including AR-style firearms, components, a suspected short-barreled rifle, and numerous silencers and parts to build more. Crucially, one of the seized firearms was confirmed to be a machine gun – capable of firing multiple rounds with a single trigger pull – and was not registered with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, a clear violation of federal law.
Berger pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered machine gun before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris. He now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years behind bars, a hefty $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release following his incarceration. The judge will determine the final sentence after considering U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors. Berger remains detained pending that sentencing, which is currently scheduled for March 20, 2024.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey K. Starnes is leading the prosecution. The investigation was a joint effort by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Helena Police Department. This case is being touted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and local communities.
While officials frame the case within the PSN framework, the initial reports of a potential mass shooting attempt paint a far more chilling picture. The fact that Berger allegedly possessed the means to carry out such an attack, and openly discussed his violent intentions, raises serious questions about mental health resources and proactive intervention. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and explore the broader implications of unchecked firearm modification and the potential for tragedy.
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